Photo credit: Emily Ball.
For the first twenty-four minutes on Friday night, this game could have been considered a touch boring.
But the fans in blue had more to cheer about in the second half, as Richlands (4-3) pulled away to take a 30-6 win over Marion (3-4).
The Blues, wearing their blue helmets for the first time this season on Homecoming night, held a slim 7-0 lead at the half and used big plays in the third quarter to put the game away.
Wide receiver Taylor Horn starred again, hauling in five catches for 170 yards and a score. Race Moir threw for 202 yards and 2 touchdowns on the night.
Runningback Trey Brown, enjoying a quietly good season, ran for 72 yards and a score of his own.
The game shifted when Richlands used an 86-yard bomb from Moir to Horn that went to the one. Brown punched it in from there to take the 14-0 lead.
After the score, Marion lined up and threw a pass into the flat on first down. Defensive back Will Tarter collected that pass and ran 21 yards untouched to make it a three-score ballgame.
Sage Webb found the end zone on a Moir pass, and Jay Fuller — again pressed into duty while Levi Forrest was out sick — nailed a 30-yard field goal to put the Blues at 30 points.
Defensively, Richlands was stifling for the second straight week.
Sean Toney had himself a game, racking up 13 tackles, 2 TFL and 2 sacks. His partner Dylan Adkins also made his mark, intercepting a tipped pass and picking up a fumble in the win.
Richlands now heads up 460 to take on county rival Graham. The G-Men haven’t lost since week 1, and feature Purdue commit Cam Allen.
Kickoff is set for 7pm inside Mitchell Stadium on Thursday night.
There’s just something about growing up in this area that lends itself to sports. Friday nights are the undisputed king. We all head to the local high school to catch a glimpse of those boys of fall.
That was no different in Richlands where I grew up with a love and a passion for those Blue Tornado. Unlike my co-host, I never strapped that lightning R on my head. I took the band route instead. But that didn’t stop me from becoming most school spirited my senior year, a title I still proudly wear today.
Leaving to get my degree at Virginia Tech actually helped solidify all that I love about this area. Sure, football is a big deal in the NRV as well, but it’s just not the same. And that’s okay. Our area is special.
I’m happy to be back in SWVA this fall and I’m ready to bring you a plethora of content options as we embark on this thing called life. RIP Prince.
Oh, and Hunt Bros. Pizza is the best pizza.
